7. Sandy Saddler 144-16-2, 103 KOs
Photo by Bettmann/CORBIS
Joseph “Sandy” Saddler was born New England tough in the city of Boston, Massachusetts in 1926. While he grew into a tall, lanky Featherweight he struck anything but the appearance of a fearsome puncher. The old boxing adage “punchers are born, not made” never rang more true than for Saddler.
While the United States was dropping bombs during World War II, Saddler started doing the same in 1944. He fought early and often leaving a wake of battered bodies and bruised egos in his wake while seldom sampling the bitter taste of defeat despite being stopped in his second professional fight.
His activity and exciting knockout style propelled him headlong to the Holy Grail of every fighter’s career, an opportunity to challenge for the world championship. He did just that in 1948 squaring off against the very formidable defensive master Willie Pep who boasted an impressive record of 134-1-1, 43 KOs and had never been stopped.
It was a classic matchup of the master, slick moving boxer against the aggressive, devastating puncher. In this case the puncher won the day scoring three knockdowns in the third and forcing Pep to take the full count in Round 4.
They fought a rematch just four months later within which time Saddler managed to reel off five more knockouts. In a fight that would be voted Fight of the Year by Ring Magazine, Pep dethroned Saddler via 15-round unanimous decision. He fought and defeated Pep twice more and regained his title, the final bout considered to be one of the most foul filled bouts in history with neither fighter considering rules or sportsmanship.
Saddler also won the Jr. Lightweight title in Havana, Cuba with a stoppage win over Diego Sosa in 1951. This fight was also wrought with dirty, roughhouse tactics by both fighters. At the end of the fight in Round 2, the crowd, sure the end was caused by a foul, began to riot.
Suggested viewing: Sandy Saddler’s power was on display in his 1954 fight against Bill Bossio.
